Safety Improvements on SH58

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From: Dianne Trevors

July 26, 2019

Hon Phil Twyford,

OFFICIAL INFORMATION REQUEST
Reference: Oral Question Time 25 July 2019 in Parliament Question 7. between Christoper Bishop and Associate Minister of Transport on the Safety Improvements on SH58
1. Is it correct that in 2017 the improvements on SH58 were deemed to expensive to complete?

2. If not, when was it deemed the improvements on SH58 were expensive to complete?

3. What date was the estimated project cost increased?

4. In response to Christopher Bishop question no. 7 on 25 July 2019 the Associate Minister of Transport said that the improvements will be split into two stages. That stage one will be Median Barriers, Side Barriers, Crawler lane, Sealed Shoulders

How are these improvements prioritised over stage two?

If these improvements had been in place; what evidence is there that these improvements would have reduced the accidents on SH58?

What number of the accidents on SH58 would have been reduced with the scheduled median barriers?

What number of the accidents on SH58 would have been reduced with the scheduled side barriers?

What number of the accidents on SH58 would have been reduced with the scheduled crawler lane?

What number of the accidents on SH58 would have been reduced with the scheduled sealed shoulders?

Where on SH58 will the scheduled median barriers be constructed?

Where on SH58 will the scheduled side barriers be constructed?

Where on SH58 will the scheduled crawler lane be constructed?

Where on SH58 will the scheduled sealed shoulders be constructed?

5. In response to Christopher Bishop question no. 7 on 25 July 2019 the Associate Minister of Transport said one reason stage two is being delayed is because of disruption.
What is the level of perceived disruption with stage two?
How is this level going to change between 26 July 2019 and when Transmission Gully is completed?
What are current daily traffic movements on SH58 at present?
What are the projected traffic movements on SH58 when Transmission Gully opens?
If there is an increase in these projected traffic movements; will there be more or less disruption?
6. In response to Christopher Bishop question no. 7 on 25 July 2019 the Associate Minister of Transport said another reason stage two is being delayed is because of funding.
25 July 2019 NZ Herald reported
“Speaking alongside Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern next to State Highway three in Hamilton this afternoon, Twyford said the safety programme would now cover 3300km of roading across the country.
That's an increase of 2430km of roads”
Is there funding available for the additional 2430km of extra roading covered in the safety programme?
If there is funding available why have the safety improvements on SH58 been delayed with a reason of no funding available?
7. In response to Christopher Bishop question no. 7 on 25 July 2019 the Associate Minister of Transport said the two roundabouts wont be available because of funding and that once Transmission Gully is completed the roundabouts will be considered.

Are the roundabouts planned for SH58?

Are the wire rope barriers in the middle of the road between the two roundabouts planned?

Where are the expected safety outcomes does it document the proposed work that is going to happen in Stage 1 and Stage 2?

Are the safety improvements in their entirety as detailed still proposed to the community?

If so what is expected in Stage 1?
What is expected in Stage 2?

If not! When did this change?
Where has this been communicated to the community?

9. What are the improvements planned in stage two?

10. What date was the estimated project cost increased on NZTA website?

11. In March 2018 it was deemed a priority and the road should be upgraded as soon as possible.
“SH58 has accumulated one of the worst safety records in New Zealand and it’s a priority for the Agency to make significant safety improvements as soon as possible,” Ms Speight says.
“We expect a lower speed limit, along with other improvements like straightening dangerous curves, intersection improvements and installing a median barrier, will reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries by up to 65% over five years.”
What did this priority change?

12. In September 2018 the following was published in a NZTA Newsletter. Was the contract awarded “later in 2018”?

Spring construction to cause traffic delays
We expect to award the contract later this year and begin construction on the safety improvements this spring.
Due to the nature of the work, we anticipate there will be periods of significant delay traveling on SH58 during some construction activities. During these times we may suggest using alternative routes or changing your travel times. Stay up to date on construction activities by reading this newsletter and following us on Twitter and Facebook. Look for updates using #SH58safety.

From: Hon Phil Twyford

August 08, 2019

Dear Ms Trevors,

Thank you for your email of 26 July in which you submitted an Official Information Act request as follows:

“Reference: Oral Question Time 25 July 2019 in Parliament Question 7. between Christoper Bishop and Associate Minister of Transport on the Safety Improvements on SH58 1.Is it correct that in 2017 the improvements on SH58 were deemed to expensive to complete?

2.If not, when was it deemed the improvements on SH58 were expensive to complete?

3.What date was the estimated project cost increased?

4.In response to Christopher Bishop question no. 7 on 25 July 2019 the Associate Minister of Transport said that the improvements will be split into two stages. That stage one will be Median Barriers, Side Barriers, Crawler lane, Sealed Shoulders

How are these improvements prioritised over stage two?

If these improvements had been in place; what evidence is there that these improvements would have reduced the accidents on SH58?

What number of the accidents on SH58 would have been reduced with the scheduled median barriers?

What number of the accidents on SH58 would have been reduced with the scheduled side barriers?

What number of the accidents on SH58 would have been reduced with the scheduled crawler lane?

What number of the accidents on SH58 would have been reduced with the scheduled sealed shoulders?

Where on SH58 will the scheduled median barriers be constructed?

Where on SH58 will the scheduled side barriers be constructed?

Where on SH58 will the scheduled crawler lane be constructed?

Where on SH58 will the scheduled sealed shoulders be constructed?

5.In response to Christopher Bishop question no. 7 on 25 July 2019 the Associate Minister of Transport said one reason stage two is being delayed is because of disruption.What is the level of perceived disruption with stage two?How is this level going to change between 26 July 2019 and when Transmission Gully is completed?What are current daily traffic movements on SH58 at present?What are the projected traffic movements on SH58 when Transmission Gully opens?If there is an increase in these projected traffic movements; will there be more or less disruption?6.In response to Christopher Bishop question no. 7 on 25 July 2019 the Associate Minister of Transport said another reason stage two is being delayed is because of funding.25 July 2019 NZ Herald reported“Speaking alongside Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern next to State Highway three in Hamilton this afternoon, Twyford said the safety programme would now cover 3300km of roading across the country.That's an increase of 2430km of roads”Is there funding available for the additional 2430km of extra roading covered in the safety programme?If there is funding available why have the safety improvements on SH58 been delayed with a reason of no funding available?7.In response to Christopher Bishop question no. 7 on 25 July 2019 the Associate Minister of Transport said the two roundabouts wont be available because of funding and that once Transmission Gully is completed the roundabouts will be considered.

Are the roundabouts planned for SH58?

Are the wire rope barriers in the middle of the road between the two roundabouts planned?

11.In March 2018 it was deemed a priority and the road should be upgraded as soon as possible.“SH58 has accumulated one of the worst safety records in New Zealand and it’s a priority for the Agency to make significant safety improvements as soon as possible,” Ms Speight says.“We expect a lower speed limit, along with other improvements like straightening dangerous curves, intersection improvements and installing a median barrier, will reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries by up to 65% over five years.”What did this priority change?

12.In September 2018 the following was published in a NZTA Newsletter. Was the contract awarded “later in 2018”?

Spring construction to cause traffic delays We expect to award the contract later this year and begin construction on the safety improvements this spring.Due to the nature of the work, we anticipate there will be periods of significant delay traveling on SH58 during some construction activities. During these times we may suggest using alternative routes or changing your travel times. Stay up to date on construction activities by reading this newsletter and following us on Twitter and Facebook. Look for updates using #SH58safety.

13.Did construction on the safety improvements begin in Spring 2018?

14.If so what improvements were they?”

I apologise for the delay in acknowledging your request as there were technical issues. Rest assured your request is being processed in this time.Minister Twyford is considering your request in accordance with the Act, and will respond in due course.

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From: Genevieve Woodall

August 08, 2019

Dear Ms Trevors

Thank you for your email of 26 July 2019 in which you submitted an Official Information Act (OIA) request as follows:

“Reference: Oral Question Time 25 July 2019 in Parliament Question 7. between Christoper Bishop and Associate Minister of Transport on the Safety Improvements on SH58 1.Is it correct that in 2017 the improvements on SH58 were deemed to expensive to complete?

2.If not, when was it deemed the improvements on SH58 were expensive to complete?

3.What date was the estimated project cost increased?

4.In response to Christopher Bishop question no. 7 on 25 July 2019 the Associate Minister of Transport said that the improvements will be split into two stages. That stage one will be Median Barriers, Side Barriers, Crawler lane, Sealed Shoulders

How are these improvements prioritised over stage two?

If these improvements had been in place; what evidence is there that these improvements would have reduced the accidents on SH58?

What number of the accidents on SH58 would have been reduced with the scheduled median barriers?

What number of the accidents on SH58 would have been reduced with the scheduled side barriers?

What number of the accidents on SH58 would have been reduced with the scheduled crawler lane?

What number of the accidents on SH58 would have been reduced with the scheduled sealed shoulders?

Where on SH58 will the scheduled median barriers be constructed?

Where on SH58 will the scheduled side barriers be constructed?

Where on SH58 will the scheduled crawler lane be constructed?

Where on SH58 will the scheduled sealed shoulders be constructed?

5.In response to Christopher Bishop question no. 7 on 25 July 2019 the Associate Minister of Transport said one reason stage two is being delayed is because of disruption.What is the level of perceived disruption with stage two?How is this level going to change between 26 July 2019 and when Transmission Gully is completed?What are current daily traffic movements on SH58 at present?What are the projected traffic movements on SH58 when Transmission Gully opens?If there is an increase in these projected traffic movements; will there be more or less disruption?6.In response to Christopher Bishop question no. 7 on 25 July 2019 the Associate Minister of Transport said another reason stage two is being delayed is because of funding.25 July 2019 NZ Herald reported“Speaking alongside Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern next to State Highway three in Hamilton this afternoon, Twyford said the safety programme would now cover 3300km of roading across the country.That's an increase of 2430km of roads”Is there funding available for the additional 2430km of extra roading covered in the safety programme?If there is funding available why have the safety improvements on SH58 been delayed with a reason of no funding available?7.In response to Christopher Bishop question no. 7 on 25 July 2019 the Associate Minister of Transport said the two roundabouts wont be available because of funding and that once Transmission Gully is completed the roundabouts will be considered.

Are the roundabouts planned for SH58?

Are the wire rope barriers in the middle of the road between the two roundabouts planned?

11.In March 2018 it was deemed a priority and the road should be upgraded as soon as possible.“SH58 has accumulated one of the worst safety records in New Zealand and it’s a priority for the Agency to make significant safety improvements as soon as possible,” Ms Speight says.“We expect a lower speed limit, along with other improvements like straightening dangerous curves, intersection improvements and installing a median barrier, will reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries by up to 65% over five years.”What did this priority change?

12.In September 2018 the following was published in a NZTA Newsletter. Was the contract awarded “later in 2018”?

Spring construction to cause traffic delays We expect to award the contract later this year and begin construction on the safety improvements this spring.Due to the nature of the work, we anticipate there will be periods of significant delay traveling on SH58 during some construction activities. During these times we may suggest using alternative routes or changing your travel times. Stay up to date on construction activities by reading this newsletter and following us on Twitter and Facebook. Look for updates using #SH58safety.

13.Did construction on the safety improvements begin in Spring 2018?

14.If so what improvements were they?”

The information you have requested is believed to be more closely connected with the functions of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA). Your request is therefore being transferred under Section 14(b)(ii) of the OIA to the NZTA for a response.